Rapid paper wrapping machine for soap-like articles

ABSTRACT

A rapid paper wrapping machine for pieces of soap and the like articles comprising an input station for supplying a number of paper sheets, and output station for folding and sealing the paper sheets on the lateral sides of the article to be wrapped, a feeder for the articles, a first line extending from the input station to the output station, a plurality of pairs of spaced jaw members along said line arranged to embrace the artocles on it, abutment members between each pair of jaw members, a second line adjacent to the first line and provided with a plurality of pincers, a third line adjacent to the first line provided with a plurality of spaced supports, a unit for expelling paper sheets from the input unit to the pincers, a pusher for transferring articles from the feeder to the support and abutment members, and cam elements along the first and second line to actuate the pincers and the abutment members in a proper time relationship.

United States Patent [191 Maulini et al. I

14 1 Mar. 27, 1973 1 RAPID PAPER WRAPPING MACHINE Appl. No.: 178,716

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 'Sept. 22, 1970 Italy .3551 A170 1 US. Cl ..'...s3/209,-53/230 1111.01. .rmsa 11/12 Field of Search ..53/209, 210, 228, 230, 233

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1966 Holt 2,932,929 4 1960 Fahrenbach em a 209x Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-John Sipos AttorneyGuido Modiano eta].

1571' ABSTRACT A rapid paper wrapping machine for pieces of soap and the likearticlescomprising an input station for supplying a number of paper sheets, and output station for folding and sealing the paper sheets on the lateral sides of the article to be wrapped, a feeder for the articles, a first line extending from theinput station to the output station, a plurality of pairs of spaced, jaw members along said line arranged to embrace the artocles on it, abutment members between each-pair of jaw members, a second line adjacent to the first line and provided with a plurality of pincers, a vthird line adjacent to the first line provided with a plurality of spaced supports, a unit for expelling paper'sheets-from the input unit to the pincers, a pusher for transferring articles from the feeder to the support and abutment members, and cam, elements along the first and second line to actuate the pincers and the abutment members in a proper time relationship.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHARZ'HSYS SHEET 2 0F 8 MIN rmi vQW INVENTORS MAURIZIO MAULINI FRANCO AIUOLA, XZUEFF HERBERT PATENTEUHARUIQH sum ear 8 INVENTORS MAURIZIO MAULINI, FRANCO AIUO'LA HERBERT RUEFF BY AG ENT PATENTEDHARZYISH SHEET 70F 8 INVENTQRS MAURIZIO MAULINI, FRANCO AIUOLA IIIER RUEFF 3- AGEN'I 'Pmfiminmzmn 722, 1 5

SHEET 8 OF 8 INV NTQRS muruzro MAULINI, FRANCO AIUOLA BY HERBERT RUEFF AGENT The present invention relates to an automatic machine that has been designed to operate at a high output to singularly wrap articles even-those having a not perfectly square shape and being also of delicate nature such as soaps, with paper. Paper wrapping machines for soap-like articles are known in the art but they suffer usually the incon venience of being too slow in operation to meet the requirement of not damaging the products to be wrapped.

In view of the attainment of a high output per hour, an important object of this invention is that of providing a machine in which the operations of feeding assemblies of sheet material pieces, of supplying the said articles, of coupling, enveloping and closing of the sheet assemblies on the same articles cyclically, repeat with a substantially continuous motion, by means of subsequent operative units, thus eliminating dead times of alternating motions, interruptions and stops.

At the same time, due to the particular nature of the articles or products being worked, especially for not completely hardened pieces of soap, one object is that the elements of the various work units operate without causing any damage thereto. 7

Another object of this invention, is that the said machine can be adjusted to the shape variations of the articles to be wrapped in paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION perirnposed to the articles, and finally stationary cams arranged along the primary and secondary lines and adapted to close the pincers to grasp the sheet assemblies and to open the same after the insertion of the articles between said supports and abutment members capable to close the jaws before the removal of the supports and open then, respectively, while the same move away from the said output station.

i BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will better appear from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the machine according to the invention, illustrated by way of indicative and not limiting example in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view diagrammatically showing the operation of the machine according to the invention;

FIG. la is an elevational view diagrammatically showing the transmission of the motion to the various operative units of the machine and a device allowing the adjustment of some units according to the shape and dimensions of the articles to be wrapped;

FIG. 2 is a partial section view of the device mentioned above taken along vertical planes on the lines IIII in FIG. la;

the present invention for wrapping in paper articles such as soaps, comprising an input station adapted to supply successively assemblies of superimposed pieces of sheet material, an output stationfor folding the said assembly on the heads of the articles, and sealing the ends of the sheet assembly, and further comprising a feeder for the articles to be wrapped, the saidmachine being substantially characterized in that it comprises a primary endless line continuously extending from the said input station to the said output station, a plurality of pairs ofjaws carried by the said primary lineand spaced along the same, designed to embrace the articles to be wrapped, a plurality of abutment-members arranged between the jaws of each pair, a secondary continuously extending endless line which accompanies the initial portion of the primary line, a plurality of pincers carried by the secondary line and spaced along the same in such a manner so that to precede the said pairs of jaws, a third continuously extending endless line arranged opposite and'in step with the initial length of the primary line,- a plurality of supports carried by the said third line in a spaced relationship therealong and resilient mounted in the direction to said abutment members, and in that it further comprises an expelling unit for the sheet assemblies from the said input station, capable of inserting them successively into the said pincers with a zero velocity relative thereto, at least one pusher which is cyclically controlled to transfer the articles to be wrapped from the said feeder between the said supports and abutment members at a zero velocity relative thereto, the sheet assemblies being already su- FIG. 3 is a top view of the arrangement of the various operative units of the machine which however, are not in phase for clarity purposes;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the pincers which pick up and transfer the wrapping sheets seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows the elements which transfer the articles from the feeder to the wrapping unit;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, where however the various elements are shown in perspective;

FIG. 7 is a perspective partially sectioned and exploded view of one of the pairs of jaws and 0f the relative abutment members;

FIG. 8.finally is a perspective view of a device for 7 partially folding the sheet assemblies.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference in particular to FIGS. 1, 1a and 3, first of all a general description of the machine is given without dwelling upon the details which will be better explained later.

The frame of the machine which is generally indicated at l and is partially shown, has on the top rear portion an input stationfor the sheet material. Such station, generally indicated at 2,-is designed to take off the tapes or webs 3 and 4 from relative rolls not shown and carried by shafts idly mounted on the frame 1. The

Each pincer 7 grasps an assembly 5 and pulls the same I initial length of plfirnary. line' 10 -'is the said'third con tinuously extending endlessline 12 moving at the same velocity as the line 10. The spring supports 13 carried by the line 12 accompany the line'lO while remaining opposite the abutment members 9 thereof. Upstream ,fromthe line 12Jthere is provided the said feeder for the articles 15 to be wrapped, which consists of the tape 14 (FIG. 3) perpendicular to the lines 8, 10 and the assemblies 5 from these webs.

relative idle rollers (such as the roller 24 idly mounted 7 12. The said cyclic unit 16 by means of the pushers l7 thereof pulls the articles off the web 14 and moves the same between supports 13 and abutment members 9, the sheet assemblies 5 being arranged between the elements 13 and 9 and the articles.

The pincers 7 are then opened while the jaws 11 are closed, thus efiecting a partial wrapping of the articles 15 by the assemblies 5 and the articles 15 gripped between the jaws 1 1 are abandoned by the supports 13.

Downstream from -the line 12 thereis provided the cyclic unit 18 which together with the folders 19 and corresponding pairs of folders 20 folds the upstream end .of the assemblies 5 againstthe articles 15 and the side edges ofv the same assemblies 5 arranged upstream and corresponding to the 'end heads of the samearticles 15. The sheet assemblies 5 which together with the articles 15 are forwarded by the jaws 1 1, are then abane doned by the folders 19 and 20 to the stationary folders of the track or line 21 along which the wrapping of the articles 15 is completed (through folding of the end of the side'edge now arranged downstreamof the same as semblies 5), the overturn of the tabs thus formed on the heads of thearticles' 15 and thesealing of the heads and the superimposed edges of the envelope; The jaws 11 are then opened and the wrapped articles 15 are moved away from the webs 22 which together with the track 21 form the said output station'of the machine.

' Going into details now, first of all the tape 14 supplying the articles 15, particularly parallelepipedic pieces of soap, or as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 pieces oval in shape, will be described/From the upper position the tape 14 (FIGS. 1, la, 3, 5 and 6) movesforward in the direction indicated by the arrow B and carries the articles. 15 one behind the other. -More particularly the tape has transverse ribs 14a arranged externally in a spaced relationship and defining seats for single articles 15, and moves stepwise, the pushers l7 acting at each dwell of the tape. As shown in the Figures the width of the tape is less than that of the articles 15. At 23 there from supplying sheet assemblies 5 which cannot' be used for lack of articles15, to the expelling unit 6. Each time an article 15 is lacking in fact, such sensor actuates a disengagement device which for a step'of the said lines interrupts the drive to the rollers causing the webs 3 and 4 to be unwound and to the device which severes The webs 3 and 4 after having passed around the on the frame I of the machine for the web 3) pass between the pairs of rollers 25 and 26, respectively, in the station 2. At least one of the rollers-in each pair 25 and 26 through a transmission system comprising the said disengagement device is driven in a continuous motion in the direction indicated bythe arrow C, in 'such 'a manner as to unwind thewebs 3 and 4 for a length edual to the development of the assemblies 5 in the time period spent for carrying out a step of the said lines. Similarly the rotary cutting knife 27 in the station 2 consisting of a bladeroller, is driven in a direction indicated by the arrow D. Both webs 3 and 4 after the pairs of unwinding rollers 25 and 26 reach the knife 27 and the blade 28, cooperating therewith. When the outer paper sheet is printed and thus the web 3 from which it is obtained, has successive reference marks spaced to one another of a distance equal to thelength of the development of the assemblies 5, the passage of said marks is controlled by a photoelectric cell 29 which can be suitably positioned along the section extending from the roller 24 to the pair'of rollers 25.

Accordingly in order to keep the print in the envelopes to be made in registration, the'photocell 29 control the speed variator which drives the pair of rollers 25 and gives little variations in the angular velocity thereof. The input station 2 can be finally provided with a conventional device for printing a progressive numbering on the web 3 at successive points spaced-at a distance equal to the length of thed evelopment of the assemblies 5. 1

j The already mentioned expelling unit 6 comprises a roller 30 driving the tape 31, which is also wound around the rollers 32 and 33. From therotary knife 27 the sheet webs 3 and 4 'move downwards passing between the vertical portion of the tape 31' and the idly mounted rollers 34. The driving roller 30 rotates continuously in the direction indicated by the arrow E with a greater speed than that of the webs 3 and 4, thereby are indicated some of the rollers-on which the tape 14 is tionary at the drawingposition of the pushers 17. A

suitable sensor arranged stationary upstream the drawing position will sense in advance relative to the drawing thereof whether some article 15 is'present. Due to this, preventing control the station 2 will be'prevented 1 the verticalportion of the tape 31, upon the separation of an assembly 5 from the webs 3 and 4 by means of the knife 27, causes such an assembly to accelerate until the same reaches thelower pincer 7 of the line 8 at a zero speed relative thereto, which is then closed. Until the assembly 5 is not separated, the vertical portion of the tape 31 undergoes some sliding onthe sheets of paper. By considering now the line 8 and pincers 7 (see FIG. 4), it can be noticed that the line 8 is formed in practice by two parallel chains (one chain is shown in detail, while the other is simply indicated-'bya dotted line) connected by means of pins 36.and 37 which are alternatively arranged and spaced along the chains. The chains 35 (see FIGS. 1, la and 3) are wound on pairs of sprockets 38, 39 and 40 and move in the direction indicated by the arrow F. The chains 35 at the lower portion thereof move first slightly downwards to the pair of sprockets 39 and then extend horizontally up to a pair of sprockets 40. Mounted for rotation on each of the pins 36 of the two chains 35 is the bush 41 which is arranged transversely and rigid with a relative plate 42 (see FIG. 4 again), which extends parallel to the two chains and therebetween in the direction of the arrow F. At the end of the plate 42 opposite the pin 36 a straight notching 42a is provided in which the roll or cam follower 43 is always in engagement mounted on another pin 43 laterally projecting from one of the chains 35. On the top of the plate 42 outside the chain 35 a plate 44 is secured, at right angles with the planes containing the chains and the plate itself. The trailing end of the sheet assembly Sis designed to be clamped on this plate 44. The clamping action is effected by the U-shaped element 45 which through the pin 46 is mounted for oscillation on the block 47 which is secured to the free end of a flexible blade 48. This blade has instead the other end, blocked on the fork 49 which is mounted for oscillation on the plate 42 by means of the pin 50. One arm of the fork 49 then extends to form the arm 51 whichdefines the recess 51a and has a straight section 51b and an inclined section limited by the pin 59 projecting from the plate 42..

Between the plate 42 and thefork 49 a helical spring 60 is arranged and urges the arm 51 to maintain contact with the roller or cam follower 52 of the element 53.

The pincer 7 formed by theplate 44 and the unit 45,

47, 48, 49, 51 is self-blocking in the closed position.

Upon immission of the sheet assembly 5, the roller or cam follower 57 of the lever 56 is engaged by the stationary cam 61 and upon rotation of the pin 54 the roller 52 0f the element 53 is inserted in the inclined section 510 of the back of the arm 51. At the input of the chains 35 in the wheels or sprockets 40, the stationary cam 62 (FIG. 1) acts instead on the cam follower 58 of the lever 56 and the cam follower 52 of the element 53 engages with the recess 51a and the pincer 7 (U-shaped element 45--plate 44) is opened and remains in an opened condition. The position of the cam 61 can be adjusted around the shaft 63 on which the sprockets 38 are keyed. Screws 64 engaging with arcuated slots in the cam 61 block this in suitable angular position. The position of the cam 62 is also adjustable. To this end the latter cam may be blocked along a horizontal guide.

Details of the line 10, the jaws 11 and abutment elements 9 will be given hereinafter. Also here (see FIGS. 3 and 7) the line is defined by two parallel chains 65 (in FIG. 7 each chain is diagrammatically shown by a pairof listels). The planes containing the chains 65 pare parallel and arranged aside to those of the chains in the line 8 and remain on the side of the latter opposite to the supplying tape or belt 14. The chains 65 (see FIGS. 1, 1a and 3) are wound around the pairs of sprockets 66 keyed on the same shaft as that of the sprockets 38 and having the same diameter as these sprockets. The chains 65 are also wound on a pair of sprockets mounted on the same shaft as the sprockets 39 and having the same diameter as the latter and finally are wound around the pairs of'sprockets 67 provided downstream the machine. The chains 65 are wound in the direction indicated by the arrow G. From the pair of sprockets 66, the chains 65 are slightly tilted like the chains 35 and extend then in a horizontal direction to the sprockets or wheels 67. At the beginning therefore the chains 35 and 65 accompany each other proceeding at the same velocity. Pins 68 and 69 (see again FIG. 7) alternately arranged and spaced along the chains 65, connect the same to'one another. Mounted on each of the pins 69 is an oscillating bush 70 transversely arranged rigid with the side plates 71 of a frame which has also an L-shaped transverse element 72. The horizontal portion of the element 72 is formed with a transverse tooth 73 projecting outside the chains 65 from such a frame. At the opposite side of the pin 69, i.e. upstream, the side plates 71 are formed with straight notches 710 with which a respective pin 68 is engaged. The tooth 73 is inserted in the groove 74a of the member 74b of an L-shaped element 74. The ends of such an element are indicated at 74c and-74d and are placed adjacent to the chains 35. The member 74b has also a (partially exploded extension 74e besides the end 740. The member 74b is connected to the horizontal end of the element 72 through screws 75. On the extension 74e the block 77 is then guided and connected by means of the screw 76 and defines the abutment element 9 mentioned above. Through the ends 740 and 74d pass the oscillating shafts 78 and 79. Outside the end 74d a crank 80 provided with a roller 81 is rigid with the shaft 78. Between the pin 82 of the crank 80 and the end 74d the torsion spring 83 is provided, which urges the crank 80 against the pin 84 projecting from the end 74d. Similarly on the shaft 79 the block 85 is secured by means of keys and is urged by the torsion spring 86 against the pin 84. On the shaft 79 there is also mounted for rotation the crank 87 provided with a roller or cam follower 88. Between the portion 87a of the crank 87 and the portion 85a of the block 85 the compression spring 89 is placed which is generally in a released condition. Outside the end 74c of the element 74, mounted on the shafts 78 and 79 (see also FIG. 5) are the above mentioned branches 11 (in FIG. 7 they are shown in an exploded position from theelement 74). A block 90 provided with the portion 900 is in fact fixed by means of keys on each of the shafts; This portion fits with a step of a sleeve member 91 which is provided with an axial slot and then tightened on the relative shaft 78 or 79 by means of a screw 92. At right angles with the relative shaft, the sleeve 91 is formed with a groove along which the tooth 93a of the rib 93 external and transverse to the bent tile-shaped-member 94 is guided which defines the jaw 11. The member 94 is secured to the sleeve 91 by means of the screw 95 which passes through the eyelet 91a of the sleeve, at the recess 91b thereof and fits with the rib 93. The position of the member 94 relative to the sleeve 91 is then adjustable in a transverse direction. Before the chains 35 contact the sprockets 40 the cam followers 81 and 88 of the cranks 80 and 87 engage with the initial sections'96a and 97a of the relative stationary cams 96 and 97. The jaws 11 thus begin the closing, which istially rigid manner the block 85, and thus the shaft 79 and the relative jaw. In this way the spring '86 is loaded while the spring'89 is unloaded, transferring the motion of the crank 87 to the block 85. Should the jaws close withdifficulty on the articles 'and the sheet assemblies 5, such as owing to some irregularity thereof, the jaw arranged downstream cannot complete its closing rotary movement, the spring 89 being compressed and the spring 86 being less loaded.

The third line 12 as well as its spring supports'l3 will be disclosed now. This line (see FIGS. 3 and 6) is defined by two parallel chains 98. The planes containing the chains 98 are parallel .to those of the chains 35 and 65 and are arranged opposite away from the chains 65 relative to the chains 35.-The chains 98 (see FIGS. 1,.la and 3) are wound around pairs of sprockets 99, 100 and 101 and rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow H, at the same speed as that of the chains 35 and 65. The sprockets 99 are provided below the sprockets'39 and adjacent to the supplying tape or band 14. The upper portions of the chains 98 are horizontal up to the wheels 100 and then extend slightly downwards to the sprockets 101. The chains 98 (see FIGS. 1, la and 3) are wound around pairs of sprockets 113, 1-14 and 115 and move intermittently in the direction indicated by the arrow I as will be better explained hereinafter. The upper potions of chains 112 (FIG. 6) are connected to one another by means of pins 116 and 117. Mounted oscillating on each of the pins 116 is a frame formed by the side plates 118 and the unit 119. The pin 117 engages instead with the slots 118a in the side plates of the frame. Formed in the head 119 of the frame is the transverse guide 120 in which one end of the arm 121 is arranged and secured (see also FTG. 5) projecting towards the chains 98. To the free ends of the arm 121 the pushing plate 122 is rigidly connected. v v

The cyclic unit 18 provided with folding members 19 and pairs of folders 20 comprises (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 8) the two pairs of chains 123 and 124. The chains 123 of the first pair are arranged similarly to the chains.112. The pair of chains 124 are arranged instead at the side of the chains 65 on the same side as that of the chains 35 and 98. The chains 123 are wound around the pairs of sprockets 125 and 126, and the chains 124 around i the pairs of sprockets 127 and 128. The sprockets 127 are connected to one another by means of pins 102 oscillatory frame defined by side plates 103 and the plate 104. The pin 102 engages instead the notches 103a formed in the side plates of the same frame. On

the plate 104 of the frame, a transverse guide 105 is formed (see also'FIG. 5) and receives one end of the arm 106 arranged and secured therein and projecting towards the-chains 65. Rigidly mounted at the'other end of the arm 106 is the block 107 in which two pairs of upwardly open seats 107a are formed. The block also has a pair of horizontal holes 107b parallel to the arm 106 and crossing the relative pair of seats 107a. The holes 107b receive relative pins 108 which can effectslight vertical movements therein and are upwardly loaded by means of springs 109 received in the seats 107a. Arranged on the block 107 is a cap 110 to which the pins 108 are connected, and can effect slight vertical movements. On the cap 110 a horizontal plate 111 is rigidly connectedwhich therefore provides a resilient support forthe articles 15. The plate 111-has its edge 1 1 1a directed upwards for engaging with the article 15 itself. v i Y The pitch of the support plates 111, the abutment blocks 77, and the plates 44 of the pincers 7 on the relative'chains 98, 65 and 35 is the same, and because the speed of these chains is the same, the elements 11 1, 77 and 44 accompany or are opposite to one another and move together in the selected relative relationship. The cyclic unit 16 with the pushers 17 comprises also (see FIGS. 3 and 6) a pair of chains 1'12 lying in planes parallel to those of the chains 65 One of the chains 1 12 is placed between the two planes containing the chains 65, while the other is arranged outside. The chains '1 12 are equal and co-axial with the sprockets 125 with which they engage tangentially. The sameappli'es to the sprockets 128 relative to those indicated at 126. The distance from the pair of chains 124 to the pair of chains 123 is adjustable by causing the sprockets 127, 128 to slide along the axes thereof. In this manner as will betterappear hereinafter, it is possible to set the machine to process'articles 15 of different length. The sprockets 125 and 127 are located downstream from the sprockets 101 and below the lowerportions of'the chains 65 and 35. Between the sprockets 125, 127 and the sprockets 126, 128 the input to the line 21 is provided. The chains 123 and 124 move in the direction indicated by the arrows L at a speed slightly higher than that of the chains 65. The upper portions of the chains 123 and 124 are horizontal. Pins 129 and 130 (see 7 again FIG. 8) alternately arranged relative to one another and spaced along the chains 123, connect them to one another. The same applies for the pins 131 and 132 for the chains 124. Mounted oscillating on each of elements thereof. The pin 129 engages with the slots 1330 in the side plates of the same frame. A shaft 135 is mounted oscillating in the tubular member 134, and extends besides both side plates 133. Fixed to one end of the shaft 135 opposite to the chains 124 is the crank 136 provided with acam follower 137. Rigid with the other end of this shaft 135 is the arm 138-which at the endsection thereof parallel to the shaft is inserted in the guide .139 formed in the plate 140. The plate secured to such end section by means of the screws 141 projects towards the chains 124 and forms the said folder 19. The spring 142 located between the arm 138 and the relative side plate 133, tends to urge the cam follower 137 of the crank 136 against the stationary cam 143. The profile of the cam'143 is substantially horizontal from the sprockets for the chains 123 to 7 horizontal with the guide 139 at the lower position.

successively the cam profile is inclined downwardly and the plate 140 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow M, is lowered thus leaving the relative article 15 and moving beneath the bottom 221 of the line 21. From the side plate 133 adjacent to the chains 124, a plate l44'projects parallel to the shaft 135 and the pins 129 and 130 and is rigid and at right angles with a sleeve 145. Mounted for rotation in this sleeve is a pin 146 at the ends of which the arms of a fork 147 (a fork similarthereto is better illustrated relative to the chains 124) are rigidly connected. Fixed on the arm of the fork 147 opposite the chains 123 is a two arm lever 148 One arm of the lever is arranged in the guide 1494 of the block 149, while the other arm of the lever car ries the cam follower 150.

The block 149 secured to one arm of the lever 148 forms one of the two folders 20. The cam follower 150 is engaged with the groove 151a formed in the stationary cam 151. The groove 151a extends straight and-substantially parallel to the chains 123 from the sprockets 125 to a point adjacent the conventional stationary folders 321 (FIG. 1) which form a side wall along the line 21. Accordingly the block 149 is located on the sliding plane of the ends of the articles; Successively the groove 151a diverges and the block 149, rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow N, moves away from this plane in such a manner as to leave the head of the article 15 and to move outwards from the stationary folder 321. In order to come to the non operative position, i.e. against the abutment (not shown) formed in the relative side plate 133, the block 149 is loaded by a spring 152 placed between the plate 144 and the fork .147.

Similarly the same applies for the block 153 relative to the other head of the articles 15 cooperating with a respective block 149. One arm of the lever 154 is arranged and secured in the guide 153a of the block 153 1 and the other carries a cam follower for engaging with the groove in the stationary cam 155. The lever 154 is secured to an arm of the fork 156 which is pivoted to a sleeve of the plate 157 and is loaded by a spring 158.

extend vertically to a lesser extent than the slots 163a through which they penetrate the space defined by the plate 163 and the pair of plates 164 and 165. Inside the said space, a pair of supports 167 rigid with the plates 163 and 164 carry a horizontal shaft 168 mounted for rotation therein and having tooth formations at the ends thereof for meshing engagement. with the racks 166. On the central portion of the shaft 168 the toothed wheel 169 is keyed andin meshing engagement with thegear 1.70. One end of the shaft of the gear 170 is joumalled through a bush 171 by the projecting portion 163b which extends vertically from the plate 163. This The plate 157 projects fromthe plate 159 which is pivoted to relative pins 132 in the chains 124 and has a notch 159a engaged by the pin 131 arranged upstream from the previous pin. I v

v The machine may be adapted to handle articles .of different height. To this end the lines 8 and 10 canbe arranged at different levels relative to the cyclic units 16 and 18, the line 12 and the line 21. The shafts of the sprockets 66 and 67 for the chains 65 and of the sprockets 38, 39 and 40 for the chains 35 (see FIGS. 1a and 2) are mounted for rotation on a box-like member extending longitudinally to the machine. The end and central portions of this member are indicated at 160a, 160b and 1600, respectively. For moving the box-like member vertically, the portion 160a thereof is engaged with the vertical guides 161 in the top portion of the frame 1 of the machine. This top portion comprises the plate 162 adjacent to the plate 163 of the portion 160C of the vertically moving box-like member. The portion 160C comprises also the pair of plates 164 and 165 parallel to the previous ones and connected to one another by means of screws not shown. The plate 163 is formed with two vertically elongatedslots 163a. Connected to the fixed plate 162 are two racks 166 which 'projecting portion is guided in the groove 162a formed in the plate 162. At the other end of the shaft of the gear 170 by interposition of an antifriction bush 172 is connected free to rotate to the disc 173 which is secured to the plate 164 by means of screws. Outside the disc 173, a sleeve 174 is secured to such a shaft through pins, and the head thereof can be engaged by a suitable tool to cause the gear 170 and thus the shaft 168 to rotate. And to cause the corresponding downwards or upwards movement of the member 160a, b, c relative to the frame 1 of the machine. When this member has reached its desired operative level it is blocked to the frame. The plates 163 and 164 are in fact connected to one another by blocks 175. To each pair of vertically aligned blocks 175 a rotatable shaft 176 is connected. The square head 176a of the shaft 176 is accessible from above the element 177 which connects the top portions of the two plates 163 and 164 and is engageable by a suitable spanner for causing the shaft to rotate. The blocks .175 are also crossed in a direction perpendicular to the plates 163 and 164 by relative pins 178 received in corresponding slots 162b formed in the plate 162 and extending in a vertical direction. Mounted outside the plates 162 on pins 178 are the washers 179, a plurality of cup springs 180 locking nuts 181. Inside the blocks 175 the pins 178 are formed with a transverse hole 178a into which there is inserted a relative eccentric portion 1761) of the relative shaft 176. By rotating the shafts 176 the member 160a, b, c can be locked'to or unlocked from the frame of the machine. The angular position taken bythe shaft I 176 in the locked condition is determined by a tooth formed in the collar 182 which is secured to the shaft 176, being in abutment engagement with the-pin 183 carried by the element 177.

With reference in particular to FIG. 1a the driving system of the machine will be now considered. The motor of the machine powers a pulley 184 which in turn' drives'the pulley 186 through a belt or chain 185. Keyed on the shaft of the pulley 186 are also the pulley 187 and the bevel gear 189. The gear 189 meshes with the'bevel gear 190 keyed on the shaft 191 which extends longitudinally along the machine. On such driven shaft the toothed wheels 192, 193 and 194 are also keyed which mesh with the toothed wheels 195, 196 and 197, respectively. The gear 195 is mounted on thesame shaft as that of the sprockets 101, the gear 196 on the same shaft as that on which the sprockets 126 and 128 are tangentially engaged and finally the gear 197 is keyed on the same shaft as that of the pulley 198 which drives the pulley 200 through a belt 199. Keyed on the shaft of the pulley is also a bevel gear 201 which meshes with the bevel gears 202 of the vertical drive shafts 203 for the tapes 22 capable of moving away the paper wrapped articles. The pulley 187 drives the pulley 205 through the belt or chain 204 on whose shaft the pulley 206 is also keyed. A chain 207 is wound on the pulley 206 and the pulley 208, 209 and 210. The .pulley210 is keyed on the shaft 63 of the sprockets 38 and 66. The shaft 63 as well as the shaft of the pulley 209 are mounted for rotation in the box-like member 160a, b, c. When according to the height of the articles 15, the box-like member is caused to raise of lower, the

cell 29 which controls the pitch of the outer printed paper sheet, is adjustable in position. Furthermore the element 1600, b, c of the chains 35 and 65 can be vertically moved and the chains 124 can be approached and moved away from the chains 123. The speed of rotation of the rollers 25 and- 26 which unwind the tapes3 and 4 and of the rotary knife 27 is adjustable in time relationship. The sprockets 38 can be phased relative to the length of the chain 207 which is wound on the pulleys 208 and 209 is elongated or shortened, respectively. The elongation and the shortening of this length is compensated by the shortening and the elongation of the chain length extending from the pulley 210 to the pulley 206.

Also the sprockets 39 of the chains 35 and the corresponding sprockets. for the chains 65 are powered. The pulley 212 keyed on the shaft of such sprockets is in fact driven through the chain 213 by the pulley 214 which is keyed on the shaft 63 ofthe sprockets 38 and 66, the chain 213 being tensioned by a roller 215. It is noted here that for clarity purposes in the various Figures the conventional devices, by means of which the desired tension is given to the chains 35, 65, 98, 112, 113 and 124, are not shown. Even the stationary guides extending along the path of the chains and supporting the same, are not represented. Also keyed-on he shaft 191 is the the 216 of the type sometiles called Z-shaped wheel which has grooves of helical configuration extending from side to side of the wheel. In the grooves of the wheel 216 the cam followers 217 are engaged and carried by a wheel keyed on the shaft of the sprockets 114. The transmission ratio between the wheel 216 and the wheel for the cam followers 217 and the shape of the grooves formed in the same wheel 216 is such so, that for each development of a pitch of the chains 35, 65, 98, 123 and 124 there corresponds the development of a pitch of the chains 1 12 and so that at each time a pushing plate 122, starting from an absolute zero speed at a-position substantially in contact with the article 15 arranged in a withdrawal position on the tape 16, increasingly accelerates until the article 15 is transferred to a position between a resting plate 111 and an abutting member 77 at a zero speed relative thereto, between the abutting member.77 and the article 15 the sheet assembly 5 being provided. The partial wrapping of the assembly 5 on the article 15 is effected by the pair of members 94 which are closed upon opening of the pincer 7, while the article 15 is released by the resting plate 111. The article 15 moved by the chains 65 is then acted upon a folder'140 and a pair 20 of folders 149 and 153 at the bottom 221 of the line 21 the complete closing of the development of the assembly 5 around the article 15 is effected. in particular the paper sheets of the assembly 5 are provided thermoweldable and the overlapping ends of the assembly are sealed when moving past or above hot and cooling elements arranged on the bottom 221. The folders 321 'complete the closing of the wrapping heads and the welding thereof is effected by the hold plates 218 stationary arranged successive to the folders 321. It should be noted finally that the machine is readily adapted to the different shapes and sizes of the articles 15 .to be wrapped. As already stated the photoelectric sprockets 66, thus obtaining the desired destance '2l8 and the tapes 22 can be adjusted. The resting plates 1 11, the pushing plates 112, the members 94, the abutment elements 77, the folding plates and the folding blocks 149 and 153 can be replaced.

The foregoing specification has set forth the nature and principles of the invention together with illustrative a preferred embodiment by which the invention as defined by the following claims, may be practiced.

' We claimi' l. A machine for wrapping in paper articles such as soaps, comprising an input station adapted to supply successively assemblies of superimposed pieces of sheet material, an output station for folding the said assembly on the heads of the articles, and sealing the ends of the sheet assembly, and further comprising a feeder for the articles to be wrapped, the said machinebeing substantially characterized in that it comprises a primary endless line continuously extending from the said input station to the said output station, a plurality of pairs of jaws carried by the said primary line and spaced along the same, designed to embrace the articles to be wrapped, a plurality of abutment members arranged between the jaws of each pair, a secondary continuously extending endless line which accompanies the initial portion of the primary line, a plurality of pincers carried by the secondary line and spaced along the same in such a manner so that to precede the said 1 pairs of jaws, a third continuously extending endless line arranged opposite and in step with the initial-length of the primary line, a plurality of supports carried by the said third line in a spaced relationship therealong and resilient mounted in the direction to said abutment members, and in that it further comprises an expelling unit for. the sheet assemblies from the said input station, capable of inserting them successively into the said pincers with a zero velocity relative thereto, at least one pusher which is cyclically controlled to transfer the articles to be wrapped from the said feeder between the said supports and aboutment members at a zero velocity relative thereto, the sheet assemblies being already superimposed to the articles, and finally stationary cams arranged along the primary and the secondary lines and adapted to close the pincers to grasp the sheet assemblies and to open-the same after the insertion of the-articles between said supports and abutment memof the supports and open then, respectively, while the same move away from the said output station.

- 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a series of said pushers is carried by an endless member cyclically controlled by a wheel having helical grooves with variable profile so that each pusher from zero speed crosses the said feeder and then accelerates until the article to be wrapped is carried and maintained at the first folder in each of them moving in alignment with the lower face of the articles carried by the jaws or runs of the primary line while the other two folders move in alignment with the heads of the articles to be wrapped,

the folders moving at a speed slightly greater than that of the primary line and being in a time relationship with respect to the jaws so as to fold in the forward direction Y the rear edges of the sheet assemblies, the completion of the folding being effected by means of stationary folders near to the output station.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said first folder and one of the other two folders are carried by a first endless member, while the third folder is carried by a second endless member similar and parallel to the first one, the distance between the two endless members being adjustable according to the length the articles to be wrapped. I

5. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance of said primary and secondary linesrelative to the third line and said folders is adjustable according to' the height of the articles to be wrapped. 

1. A machine for wrapping in paper articles such as soaps, comprising an input station adapted to supply successively assemblies of superimposed pieces of sheet material, an output station for folding the said assembly on the heads of the articles, and sealing the ends of the sheet assembly, and further comprising a feeder for the articles to be wrapped, the said machine being substantially characterized in that it comprises a primary endless line continuously extending from the said input station to the said output station, a plurality of pairs of jaws carried by the said primary line and spaced along the same, designed to embrace the articles to be wrapped, a plurality of abutment members arranged between the jaws of each pair, a secondary continuously extending endless line which accompanies the initial portion of the primary line, a plurality of pincers carried by the secondary line and spaced along the same in such a manner so that to precede the said pairs of jaws, a third continuously extending endless line arranged opposite and in step with the initial length of the primary line, a plurality of supports carried by the said third line in a spaced relationship therealong and resilient mounted in the direction to said abutment members, and in that it further comprises an expelling unit for the sheet assemblies from the said input station, capable of inserting them successively into the said pincers with a zero velocity relative thereto, at least one pusher which is cyclically controlled to transfer the articles to be wrapped from the said feeder between the said supports and aboutment members at a zero velocity relative thereto, the sheet assemblies being already superimposed to the articles, and finally stationary cams arranged along the primary and the secondary lines and adapted to close the pincers to grasp the sheet assemblies and to open the same after the insertion of the articles between said supports and abutment members and capable to close the jaws before the removal of the supports and open then, respectively, while the same move away from the said output station.
 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a series of said pushers is carried by an endless member cyclically controlled by a wheel having helical grooves with variable profile so that each pusher from zero speed crosses the said feeder and then accelerates until the article to be wrapped is carried and maintained at the same speed as the said supports and abutment members and finally decelerates releasing the said article.
 3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein between the said third line and the output station and in a position opposite the relative section of the said primary line a cyclic assembly of three folders is provided, a first folder in each of them moving in alignment with the lower face of the articles carried by the jaws or runs of the primary line while the other two folders move in alignment with the heads of the articles to be wrapped, the folders moving at a speed slightly greater than that of the primary line and being in a time relationship with respect to the jaws so as to fold in the forward direction the rear edges of the sheet assemblies, the completion of the folding being effected by means of stationary folders near to the output station.
 4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said first folder and one of the other two folders are carried by a first endless member, while the tHird folder is carried by a second endless member similar and parallel to the first one, the distance between the two endless members being adjustable according to the length of the articles to be wrapped.
 5. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance of said primary and secondary lines relative to the third line and said folders is adjustable according to the height of the articles to be wrapped. 